I know I shouldn't panic.....

amother ↓

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 11:27 am

...and I keep telling myself I'll be fine, but I'm still almost in panic mode. (Not a good place to be right before Rosh Hashana!!)
We are taking the trip of a lifetime and going to Eretz Yisroel with the kids for Yom Kippur/Sukkos. We rented an apt. near family, and will be invited out some of the meals. I doubled what I made for Rosh Hashana and will take that along - some sides and mains.
When I think about the trip, and everything I need to pack and do and take, I get heart palpitations.
I am so grateful that we are able to go (saved up mileage for years!!) and see family we have not seen in years, and just BE in E"Y, but I am OVERWHELMED!!!
Can I please have some advice, either from those living there, or others that have made such a trip, on everything from what to take/not take, do there, bring for plane trip (we have a stopover in Brussels), etc. etc.
Kids range in age from almost 2 to 15, and we are renting a car there. I have two days after Rosh Hashana do do everything, as we are leaving on Sunday.
TIA!!
(Anon cuz pple here know I am going, and would like not to give myself away. That's why I posted in this forum and not vacation and travel - sorry.)

flowerpower

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 11:30 am

Try to be as organized as you can. Make a detailed list of all the things you need to take along. That really helps for your piece of mind. Make sure to pack things you will need for the plane. You can do that in advance-some materials to keep them busy, diapers for 2 years old.... prepare all passports and tickets in a safe place-you can do that now too already.

Fabulous

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 11:34 am

One thing to keep in mind is that everyone forgets something. I never had one trip where I remembered everything. Just hope that it is not an important thing. Plus, you are going to E'Y, not outer Mongolia, it might cost a bit extra but most likely you can get anything you forget here, there.

cuteson

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 12:08 pm

whenever I travel and before I start packing I always make sure all the laundry is in its place and then I start going from drawer to drawer and shelf to shelf and I see exactly what I have and what I need to get, and of course I try to make myself a list way beforehand whatever I remember that I need at that moment I just jot it down, and once I'm done packing I review the list and see what I took and waht not.

I wish you Lots of Luck.

happyone

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 12:11 pm

That's some exciting trip!!! You're not going to Nomansland, you are going to Israel where just about everything is available there. Just chill and know in the worst case it'll cost you another couple of bucks to get through the trip.

speciwoman

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 12:23 pm

I like to write out a list BEFORE I start physically packing. I actually have a list that I keep on my computer, so I can just print it out and then update it with anything specifically related to that trip. Go person by person, and go through a typical day. First, wake up. What do I need when Person A wakes up? If it's your baby, for example, maybe you need diapers for a diaper change, clothes for the day, and a bib for breakfast. Etc etc. Don't forget pj's! That's always what I end up forgetting.

Have a fantastic trip, and like someone else said earlier, you can always buy/borrow when you're there if you forget something. Passports and tickets are the only irreplaceable things.

grin ↓

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 12:42 pm

when we went overseas with the whole gang, it helped a lot to have each suitcase dedicated to one or two kids and write the first names also on luggage tag. I also planned ahead and brought along all sorts of new games, crayons, etc. but no one looked at them the whole time - just the ride itself (and the movies embarrassed

) were enough. Each kid had their own backpack with stuff for the ride, a book or two, and one change of clothes, just in case.
Also, make sure to pack easy food that they'll eat, just in case the kids don't like the food or are hungry before/after meals, or the airlines forgot to order for you. I took fruit and crackers with cheese or PB.

↑ yo'ma

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 12:46 pm

On the plane, make sure you know where all the barf bags are. When we were about 45 minutes from landing 3/4 of my children threw up and 1 of them did it twice. Needless to say, we ran out of barf bags and I changed the minute I was able to. The kid had an extra change of clothing. They hardly ate anything either. They slept most of the way. We always take the red eye.
For the plane, gum, benadryl, etc..

tovarena

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 12:53 pm

You may want to check on Israel's regulations about bringing prepared foods into the country. I don't know their laws, but entering the U.S. with any sort of meat product is not allowed. I think it also holds true for many fruits and vegetables as well. Just something to check before you head over with yom tov meals in tow.

Raisin

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 2:06 pm

tovarena wrote:

Plus especially when you have a stopover, they might lose or delay your luggage, and it will go bad.

If you have a long stopover in brussles there are a couple of kosher resturants there.

↑ grin ↓

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 2:28 pm

tovarena wrote:

The only things they care about here is smuggling in lg. quantities of electronics (video cameras, etc.) w/o paying customs fees, or illegal drugs. Otherwise, bring whatever you like. (and you thought the US was a "free country".)

freidasima

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 2:39 pm

Forget about bringing food for yuntif, you can get everything here, readymade if you are willing to spend the money.

For each kid bring underwear, clothing, diapers, and if you are going to be in Yerushalayim a sweater for evenings. Sock and shoes. Tzitzis for boys. AS for toys, everyone gets to pick ONE toy and bring it if it's not big. Sunglasses. Hats.

For the plane. Make two sandwitches per kid, take fruit and a box of cookies or pretzels (salty for nausea). They serve food, you won't need more.

↑ grin ↓

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 2:44 pm

I agree that along food for yom-tov doesn't seem to make too much sense. It could very well leak or spoil enroute, and food is on the whole cheaper here than in the US.
OTOH, I stay away from sandwiches on airplanes since netilas yadayim is so difficult halacha-wise.

↑ grin

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 3:05 pm

Quote:

Those who live there - will fruit and veggies still be a problem due to shmitta?

vegetables - no; fruit - yes, but I would suggest buying both at a store/stand with a reliable hechsher in any case, so you don't have to worry about taking off ma'aser yourself.

Quote:

What about paper goods? Should I buy here (nice plates, cutlery, plastic tablecloths etc) or just buy there. Aside from the convenience factor, is it much more expensive there? Should I bring a stack of american cheese, mayo, ketchup?

It's all available here now, but I really don't know how the prices (and quality) compare.

Last edited by grin on Wed, Sep 24 2008, 3:21 pm; edited 1 time in total

↑ amother ↓

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 3:13 pm

Thanx so much for all your tips.
What I would like to do is give each child a hand luggage for their activities, nosh, etc., have one hand luggage with an extra change of clothes for everyone, one for food, one for DH tallis, tefillin, computer, diapers, etc, and then we have 2 hat boxes. I will probably put my shaitel in the change of clothing luggage, cuz it's just too much to shlep.
I will for sure be making yom tov sheini meals, and it's just much easier for me to cook at home and take a full freezer bag and just fill in stuff, than to start making meals from scratch there. If I have the bulk, I can always buy bourekas and veggies and stuff to fill in.
Those who live there - will fruit and veggies still be a problem due to shmitta?
What about paper goods? Should I buy here (nice plates, cutlery, plastic tablecloths etc) or just buy there. Aside from the convenience factor, is it much more expensive there? Should I bring a stack of american cheese, mayo, ketchup? We are a lot of people, so we have the luggage space, but DH is not too excited about shlepping heavy pieces.
PS. We take the barf bags from the plane, and keep them in our car. Each kid gets one when we head out on a long trip. Much more convenient than plastic bags when the Dramamine doesn't work!

yaffsterg

Wed, Sep 24 2008, 11:02 pm

I travel alot with the family the longest trip I took was 15 hour of driving. Foe my kids to keep them busy

Crayola makes these great markers with special paper that the markers only color on the paper.
My kids also loves stickers so I get a bunch of packs.

I pack a put lose items in a ziploc bag like socks,tights.. then I smuch it till all the air is out. I then label how many pairs I am taking so I dont over pack and when its time to repack I know if I am missing something.
I also bring a mesh laundry bag with me that is easy to fit into the back or they even have pop up ones.
I also like making the extra last min check list camera,film,medication if any,Toothbrush and paste phone numbers I always forget something if I don't check that emergancy last minute list.

Anyway good luck and have a safe trip>>>

↑ amother

Thu, Sep 25 2008, 6:46 pm

OP here. Thank you all.
I am taking some food cuz my kids are picky eaters, and I would much rather cook here and take it along frozen in ziplock bags, than cook there in someone's unfamiliar kitchen. I know I will need to buy there as well, but at least I am starting with the basics.
There is not much time to do touring this year, so we really need to concentrate on the "good stuff". Any ideas?